Ned Christie's War

by Robert J. Conley

Ned Christie saw his people's past and future. From the broken treaties and the lost lands of the East to new betrayals in the Indian territory, Christie knew the Cherokee nation was threatened not by guns, but by laws. Then, on his way to a tribal council in Tahlequah, Christie was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A U.S. marshal was murdered. Fate turned Ned Christie--a father, a husband, and a man of vision--into an outlaw. Courage turned him into a warrior.

Robert Conley's powerful historical novel is a classic tale of injustice and heroism. Cloaking himself in the magic of his people and the love of his family, an innocent man would fight for a crime he did not commit, against hatred he did not deserve, and against men determined to gun Ned Christie down...

Genres: Historical Fiction

175 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Robert J. Conley was a Cherokee author and enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, a federally recognized tribe of American Indians. In 2007, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers' Circle of the Americas.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conley is a great writer and this is an excellent read.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical novel; Ned Christie was real and this is a fairly accurate story of his adult life. He was a Cherokee Indian and an activist on behalf of the Cherokee Nation. The story takes place in the Cherokee Nation section of pre-statehood Oklahoma. He was an elected member of the Cherokee Nation senate and while attending a senate meeting he was falsely accusing of killing a Deputy U.S. Marshall. His "War" begins as he successfully resists arrest for four years and the history books refer to this period as Ned Christie's War. I have given this book a very good rating but that doesn't mean it's a fun read. I was
reminded, and saddened at the memory, of the shameful way Native Americans were abused by the government during this period.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ned Christie may very well be more famous now than he was when he was alive.

This version of the story has Councilman Christie framed for a murder he didn't commit because he was a political thorn in the side of those wishing to destroy the Cherokee Nation with immigration.

Deputies are sent to arrest him, and Christie kills them in self defense. He builds his famous fort, and is eventually killed himself.

This is a pretty good version with the exception of the needless epilogue.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I had read another book about the same historical story, and this was a new perspective. It's historical fiction, a peek into Native America when the land was being grabbed up by white settlers and the tribes were being displaced, and white man's justice wasn't very just for Ned Christie.

[Theshiney · Rating 1 out of 5]

for what its worth, the title is not misleading if taken literally. its all about firing guns. the story offers no real insight. the epilogue is even about a character that had a minor role and its not interesting and adds absolutely nada. wtf?

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Conley's work. A true historian. That being said, the reader must remember that this book is fiction.